FESTIVAL CUBANO 2006

For the second successive year, the Trinidad Group is organizing Festival Cubano in Malaysia. The Festival was officially launched by its Royal Patron, YAM Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Ja'afar on April 21 with a spectacular charity concert by the Afro Cuban All Stars. The concert was sponsored by Best Western International, the world’s largest hotel chain, in benefit for the Yayasan Tunku Nurul Hayati, a foundation for underprivileged and abuse children. This years event will feature a 7 piece Cuban band who will accompany a master chef and cigar roller who were all specially flown in for the event.

This superb 7 piece Cuban band, Sazon, has been the talk of the Cuban music scene over the past few years. They have performed at the best clubs in Cuba as well as toured several countries in Latin America. Their vast repertoire ranges of high energy Salsa, Merengue, Latin pop to current popular English songs has made Sazon one of the most exciting bands from Cuba. Their band leader, Jesus Santiago Martinez plays the trombone and is accompanied by keyboards, drums, percussionist and bass with two female lead singers.

Adonis Velazco Ramos was born in Havana on October 2, 1977. He became an apprentice at a tender age of 16 at the Partagas factory and in a short span of time rose to the rank of supervisor. His cigar rolling skills and ability was noticed and was eventually transferred to Havana’s best and most important factory, El Laguito, home to the world famous Cohiba cigars. This is his first trip to Asia although he has demonstrated his cigar rolling talents at several events in Spain and London. Adonis’s specialty is rolling Torpedo and Double Corona cigars.

Master Chef Pedro Brito Lima has been in Cuba’s hospitality industry for over 30 years. He started his career as a bar tender and eventually held one of the highest operational post in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality in Cuba. For many years, Chef Brito was in charge of all the food and beverages served at all major international events in Cuba including Head of State and dignitary functions, conferences and festivals organized by the Government. Chef Brito has represented Cuba in several international hotel and culinary conferences around the world. He has co written several publications for the Ministry of Tourism. Apart from his culinary skills, Chef Brito is also a qualified sommelier.

Festival Cubano 2006 will be held in major cities around the country including East Malaysia and will end in August.